Born into Brothels

—Overview
—Spiritual Connections

Despite the popular success of a few documentaries in recent years, most documentaries still reach limited audiences. Some filmgoers, it is argued, go to movies to escape the hard realities of life, not wanting to be confronted with discouraging events.

While Born into Brothels gives an unflinching portrayal of what life is like for children of prostitutes in the slums of Calcutta, India, the film’s greatness comes not from its realism, but from the inspiration and hope we gain from following the lives of many of the featured children.

American filmmaker Zana Briski originally went to Calcutta’s Red Light District of Sonagachi with co-director Ross Kauffman to portray life among those who work the brothels. They were quickly captivated, however, by the children of those women.

Twelve-year-old Avijit emerges as a featured subject of the film. His father ignores the boy, preferring to spend all his time and resources smoking hashish. Over the course of filming, his mother is burned to death by her pimp. “There is nothing called hope in my future,� Avijit says. And we believe him.

Briski provided small cameras and instruction to seven girls and three boys as a way for them to tap into their God-given creativity. The cameras serve as the catalyst for a journey of hope, which opens doors previously closed to the children for education, artistic expression and opportunity.

Nowhere is this more evident than with Avijit. Many of the children show innate gifts at photography, and their work is displayed in several exhibitions depicted in the film. But Avijit’s talent could earn him a chance to participate with other youth in an international photo school in Amsterdam. If only Briski can help secure his passport. If only Avijit has the will to follow this dream.

Repeatedly, we are exposed to a grim life on the margins, where the slightest turn of events separates people between survival and hopelessness. Not a single person seems to be looking out for the welfare of the children themselves, and they quickly embrace “Auntie� Zana.

Earlier this year, Born into Brothels won the Academy Award for Best Documentary, outdistancing more commercially successful films such as Super Size Me and Fahrenheit 911 (which was not nominated because of filmmaker Michael Moore’s insistence that it be considered only as an overall Best Picture nominee).

The 88-minute film premiered in December 2004 in New York City and has shown on only about 100 screens nationwide. But HBO/Cinemax will air the film in July. Check www.bornintobrothels.com for telecast dates, a list of theaters showing the film and information about Kids With Cameras, a non-profit organization that teaches photography to children in poverty around the world.

Born into Brothels is not only a film with a mission, but a mission with film. Although its R rating results from some foul language in the documentary’s depiction of life situations, the hope that emerges in the lives of the children shapes its overwhelmingly positive spirit.

Indeed, as Avijit himself looks at a difficult picture depicting a woman in a troubled situation, the 12-year-old’s own words provide a summary for why you should see this film: “Even though there is sadness and sorrow in her face, we must look because there is truth.�

—Overview
—Spiritual Connections